Technical:

In my artistic journey within the animation course, my focus has been on capturing the foundational elements that define characters, nature, and architecture. I've aimed to grasp the core essence quickly and effectively. Whether sketching the basic stance of a character or the fundamental shapes of buildings, my practice involves short, timed sketches that distil subjects down to their most impactful forms. This method has been applied across both digital and traditional media, where I use a graphics tablet for digital sketches and pencils for traditional ones, always striving to convey the essential narrative with each stroke.

While exploring the line of action technique, I found that it lends itself well to human figures but requires additional lines for animals, especially quadrupeds, to maintain clarity due to their less distinctive form compared to humans' unique bipedal shape.

As I advance, I appreciate the nuances between minimalist and detailed sketching. Minimalism in sketching, though demanding in precision and understanding of form, proves rewarding, as each stroke is crucial to the portrayal. It's particularly advantageous for animation, enhancing storyboarding efficiency by allowing the use of simple figures to represent characters across various shots, which streamlines the storyboard process and focuses on composition and movement before finer details are added.

Digital sketching offers the benefits of easy edits and the undo feature, encouraging experimentation. Conversely, traditional sketching, without the convenience of digital tools, provides a hands-on experience that many artists find deeply fulfilling, fostering a connection with the medium. Both forms have their distinct advantages and continue to shape my artistic expression.

Resources: Line of Action. (n.d.). Line of Action. [online] Available at: https://line-of-action.com/. 

I have researched the fundamental components of perception in my Research and Analysis tab; the following represents my own perception on perception:

Perception is our gateway to understanding the world around us, separate from cognition, which assigns meaning to what we perceive. The way we view the world influences how we represent it, whether it's the reality we see or the figments of our imagination. In today's visual culture, screens and displays are central to representation, with audio—music and spoken word—coming in as a strong secondary medium.

Perception is deeply personal; individuals perceive things—sights, sounds, tastes, touches, and smells—in their own unique ways. This results in a distinctive 'view' that shapes creative expression, leading to works that mirror one's perceptual nuances. Diversity in perception equates to diversity in portrayal.

For me, the visual aspect has always been magnetic. From childhood cartoons and cinema to comic strips in later years, I was captivated by the visual design of characters and their personalities. This fascination likely fueled my aptitude for art and steered me toward animation. My keen visual acuity allows me to capture nuances in my artwork, like subtle shadows and angles, boosting my confidence and precision. However, exercises in quick sketching, demonstrated on this page and my Experimentation tab. have taught me that absolute accuracy isn't always necessary; sometimes, conveying the essence is enough.

Recognizing that perceptions vary, I understand that my intentions in a piece may not always be perceived as expected by others. This underscores the importance of feedback in the creative process. Collaborative work and critiques are invaluable, helping to bridge the gap between my vision and the audience's interpretation.

I also find it intriguing to exploit shared perceptual biases in my work, such as employing darkness to imply threat or using vibrant colors to suggest buoyancy. This interplay between sensory input and emotional response provides a versatile toolkit for crafting content that resonates universally. Moreover, there's an art to bending these rules creatively, as exemplified by filmmakers like Wes Anderson, who I discuss more thoroughly on my Research and Analysis page. Anderson's work is a testament to how subverting these norms can also yield striking and memorable narratives.

In essence, while the ultimate goal of creative work is to evoke specific thoughts or feelings—a cognitive outcome—the journey there is sensory. Acknowledging and leveraging the subtleties of perception is crucial in crafting impactful work.